Imagine Ramesh, a young professional in Bengaluru, who just received his first bonus. Excited to invest, he downloaded two popular apps—Groww and Upstox. Both promised low costs, sleek platforms, and easy access to stocks and mutual funds. But when it came to choosing the best brokerage app, Ramesh felt lost. Should he go for Groww’s beginner-friendly simplicity or Upstox’s feature-rich platform? If you’ve faced the same dilemma, you’re not alone. At Indiainvesthub, our mission is to help readers like you make confident choices based on facts, not hype.
This article dives deep into Groww vs Upstox, comparing them across features, fees, security, usability, and more—so you can finally decide which platform is right for you.
Table of Contents
Company Overview: Groww vs Upstox
- Groww – Founded in 2016 by former Flipkart employees, headquartered in Bengaluru. What started as a mutual fund platform is now a full-stack broker. It has 6 crore+ registered users and is SEBI-registered (Source: Groww official site, 2025).
- Upstox – Originally RKSV Securities (founded in 2009), later rebranded to Upstox. Headquartered in Mumbai, it’s backed by Tiger Global and Ratan Tata. By 2023, Upstox had 1.1 crore+ customers and processes over ₹1.3 lakh crore in monthly turnover (Source: SEBI, 2025).
Both are among India’s fastest-growing brokers, but their approaches differ—Groww focuses on simplicity, while Upstox emphasizes power trading.
Features | Groww | Upstox |
|---|---|---|
Preview |  |  |
Established Year | 2016 | 2009 |
Brokerage App Link |
Account Opening Process & Charges
- Groww: 100% paperless, free account opening, no AMC (Annual Maintenance Charges). Simple onboarding with Aadhaar and PAN verification.
- Upstox: Free account opening, AMC ₹150/year (after 1st free year). Onboarding is also fast and digital.
Winner: Groww, for zero AMC and ultra-simple onboarding.
Brokerage & Other Fees Comparison
- Groww: ₹20 per order or 0.05% (whichever is lower) for stocks, derivatives, and ETFs. Mutual funds are free.
- Upstox: Same ₹20/order or 0.05%, whichever is lower. Delivery trades are free.
Both charge similarly, but Upstox edges ahead for free delivery trades.
Trading Platforms & User Experience
- Groww: Mobile-first, clean, minimal interface, designed for beginners. Great for mutual funds and simple stock investing. Limited advanced charting tools.
- Upstox: Offers powerful desktop/web trading (Upstox Pro), advanced charts (TradingView integration), customizable watchlists, and algo trading support. Better for active traders.
Winner: Upstox, for advanced features; Groww, for absolute beginners.
Investment Options Available
- Groww: Mutual funds, stocks, IPOs, ETFs, digital gold, US stocks.
- Upstox: Stocks, F&O, commodities, currencies, IPOs, ETFs, mutual funds, bonds.
Winner: Upstox, for broader coverage of commodities and currencies.
Research & Advisory Tools
- Groww: Provides basic stock analysis, fund fact sheets, and educational content. No in-house research or advisory.
- Upstox: Offers technical charts, market insights, and partnerships with external research providers. Still not as comprehensive as full-service brokers.
Winner: Upstox, though limited compared to traditional brokers like Motilal Oswal or Angel One.
Customer Support & Service Quality
- Groww: Email and in-app ticketing. No call or branch support. Response times can be slow during peak market hours.
- Upstox: Phone support, email, and helpdesk. Faster response times and more user assistance channels.
Winner: Upstox.
Safety, Security & Regulatory Compliance
Both Groww and Upstox are SEBI-registered, NSDL/CDSL depository participants, and members of NSE, BSE, and MCX. Funds and securities are held safely with regulators.
Tie: Both are safe and compliant.
Unique Features & Value-Added Services
- Groww: Commission-free mutual funds, paperless KYC, simple tracking tools, access to US stocks.
- Upstox: Smart APIs for algo trading, advanced charting, margin trading facility, and partnerships with learning platforms.
Winner: Upstox, for traders; Groww, for investors.
User Reviews & Ratings
- Groww: 4.5★ on Google Play Store (10 crore+ downloads). Highly rated for simplicity.
- Upstox: 4.3★ on Google Play Store (5 crore+ downloads). Appreciated for features, but some users complain about glitches.
Winner: Groww, for reliability and ease.
Pros & Cons – Groww vs Upstox
| Criteria | Groww | Upstox |
|---|---|---|
| Account Opening | Free, No AMC | Free, AMC ₹150 after 1st year |
| Brokerage | ₹20/order (all segments) | ₹20/order, Free delivery |
| Platforms | Mobile-first, simple | Mobile + Pro desktop, advanced |
| Investment Options | MF, stocks, ETFs, US stocks | Stocks, F&O, MF, bonds, commodities |
| Research | Limited | Moderate |
| Support | Only email/tickets | Phone + email |
| Best For | Beginners & mutual fund investors | Active traders & diverse investors |
Who Should Choose Groww?
- Beginners who value simplicity.
- Mutual fund-focused investors.
- Users who want US stock investing.
- Investors who dislike AMC charges.
Who Should Choose Upstox?
- Traders who want advanced charts and analytics.
- Active F&O, commodity, or currency traders.
- Investors who value customer support access.
- Cost-conscious delivery traders (free delivery).
Final Verdict: Groww vs Upstox – Which One is Better for You?
When it comes to choosing the best brokerage app, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Groww is ideal for first-time investors, mutual fund enthusiasts, and those who prefer a minimal, beginner-friendly interface with zero AMC. Upstox, on the other hand, is built for active traders and investors who need advanced tools, market coverage, and support across multiple asset classes.
At Indiainvesthub, we help readers match the right broker to their investment style—whether that’s Groww’s simplicity or Upstox’s power. The final decision depends on your goals: Do you want ease and clarity, or do you need advanced trading features to maximize your strategy?
So, when it comes to Groww vs Upstox, which one fits your investing journey best?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Is Upstox 100% safe?
Yes, Upstox is regulated by SEBI and holds client securities with NSE/BSE and CDSL, ensuring safety—but you still bear market risks.
Q2: Is the Groww app safe?
Yes! The Groww app is safe—it’s registered with SEBI, stores funds & securities securely with custodial partners, and offers robust data protection. Market risks still remain.
Q3: Why is Groww so popular?
Groww is popular thanks to its clean, user-friendly design, zero-commission mutual fund investing, wide asset variety, transparent pricing, and seamless mobile-first experience.
